Bartlett intervenes in census dispute

August 16, 2000

Bartlett intervenes in census dispute

By KIMBERLY YAKOWSKI / Staff Writer

U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., Tuesday pledged to throw his support behind a move to straighten out overtime complaints from former Census 2000 workers and conflicting reports of miscounts of Washington County communities.

About five census workers complained during a public hearing about a of lack of communication, poor training and having to justify earned overtime.

Former census crew leader Georgie Tavenner said she believes many workers have not been paid for overtime they worked and that the census count in Williamsport, St. James and Maugansville may not be accurate.

"I don't feel they have been accurately counted because they have post office boxes. All I want is those people counted," she said.

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Linda Shell, area manager for Census 2000, and other representatives addressed some of the workers questions during the meeting.

Shell said the overtime was being evaluated and many people have received their pay. Five outstanding overtime claims are still being researched, she said.

"Hopefully in two weeks' time it will be resolved," she said. She noted the census count required a tight schedule in order to complete the project.

Shell said the accuracy of the count was one of her main concerns.

"I am responsible for the success of the census in the regional area," she said.

Bartlett told the former census workers to submit their complaints in writing and that he would work as an intermediary to help resolve the issues.